Mishkan Hatchelet is arguably the leading tallit maker in Israel, and therefore in the world, but their top-of-the-line tallit models may all be unfamiliar to you. Why? Because the same tallitot, when distributed outside of Israel, are marketed under a different set of names. So if you are comparing Keter Judaica products such as Tallis Hameshubach, Tallis Hamefoar and Kelilas Yoffi online, or shopping in Jerusalem tallit stores, be aware that these same tallits are known by different names among Israeli sellers.

Also, you might feel somewhat bewildered by a selection of tallit options that sound almost identical. When shopping for a tallit online, you benefit from a broader selection than you can expect from your local Judaica dealers, but of course you have the disadvantage of not being able to see and feel the tallit up close. So to make the right choice you rely on good images and detailed descriptions, yet the type of people who write product descriptions and similar Web content are not always world-class writers with power of description on a par with Charles Dickens or Thomas Wolfe. As a result, when you sort your way through traditional wool tallits such as Tallis Hameshubach, Tallis Hamefoar and Kelilas Yoffi, they all sound pretty much the same.

Tallis Hameshubach, a.k.a. Chatanim

The following is a Hebrew-Hebrew dictionary to help you keep the names straight:

The Tallis Hameshubach is a top-of-the-line traditional wool tallit popular as a gift for a groom or bar mitzvah boy, or someone who wants a nice, no-compromise tallit for Shabbos.

Tallis Hamefoar is similar to Hameshubach, but features a special box-weave fabric that helps the tallis stay in place on your shoulders and lends it a supple, luxurious feel. Also comes in a lightweight version.

Kelilas Yoffi is a high quality lightweight tallis often chosen for weekdays. It’s compact folded size is helpful for commuters trying to trim down their carrying bulk.

Blog Categories

Tzitzit in Wolf Point, Montana?

After four hours of driving, Judy and Robin found themselves in Wolf Point, Montana. They drove slowly through town, when suddenly Judy caught sight of a dusty sign reading, “Jake’s Bibles & Hebrew Collectibles.”
She couldn’t resist. “Let’s just drop in for a moment,” she said to Robin. “This looks like a must.” Stepping into the dank shop